Heartland Dental awards $34,500 in scholarships to students at Concorde Career Colleges campuses nationwide

Heartland Dental continues its multi‑year collaboration with Concorde by funding $34,500 in 2026 hygiene scholarships for 23 students nationwide.

Rhea-AI Summary

Universal Technical Institute (UTI), through its Concorde Career Colleges brand, and Heartland Dental have announced the 2026 Heartland Dental Hygiene Scholarship recipients. Heartland Dental is awarding a total of $34,500 in scholarships to 23 Concorde dental hygiene students across participating campuses, with each recipient receiving $1,500.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Heartland Dental has provided scholarships to Concorde students as part of a broader workforce strategy to support the pipeline of skilled dental hygienists. The collaboration also includes company-sponsored dental hygiene labs, graduate pinning ceremonies, pediatric dental events and support linked to the opening of the Concorde–Fort Myers campus.

Key Figures

Scholarship award: $34,500 Recipients: 23 students Award per recipient: $1,500 +3 more

Scholarship award

$34,500

2026 Heartland Dental Hygiene Scholarships

Recipients

23 students

Participating Concorde campuses nationwide

Award per recipient

$1,500

Each 2026 scholarship recipient

Scholarship program duration

Fifth consecutive year

Heartland Dental awards to Concorde dental hygiene students

National employment growth

8%

Dental hygienists, 2025-2035

Statewide projected job growth

12% to 22%

Dental hygienists in Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas, 2024-2034

Key Terms

dental support organization

1 terms

dental support organization technical

"Heartland Dental, the nation's largest dental support organization"

An organization that provides non-clinical business services — such as billing, human resources, purchasing, marketing, and regulatory compliance — to affiliated dental practices while the dentists retain control of clinical care. Think of it as a back-office partner that lets multiple clinics share overhead and standardized systems, which matters to investors because it shapes revenue growth, margins, capital needs, and regulatory exposure across grouped dental practices.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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The scholarships are part of an ongoing workforce solutions strategy to help address the need for skilled dental hygienists

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Concorde Career Colleges, the healthcare brand of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., and Heartland Dental today announced the recipients of the 2026 Heartland Dental Hygiene Scholarships. As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of dental hygienists, Heartland Dental is awarding $34,500 in scholarships to 23 students at participating Concorde campuses nationwide. Each recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship in recognition of their dedication to their education and commitment to a career in dental hygiene.

Heartland Dental, the nation's largest dental support organization, has been working with Concorde for several years to help strengthen the pipeline of skilled dental hygienists entering the profession. This marks the fifth consecutive year Heartland Dental has awarded scholarships to Concorde dental hygiene students.

"This year's Heartland Dental Hygiene Scholarship recipients reflect the passion, dedication and commitment that are important to the future of dental hygiene," said Henal Majethia, Campus Recruiting Manager at Heartland Dental. "These scholarships are one way we can support students as they prepare to enter the profession while continuing to invest in the development of a strong pipeline of talented dental hygienists who can make a meaningful difference for patients and communities."

Added Kevin Prehn, SVP, Chief Operating Officer, Universal Technical Institute, Inc.: "From mentorship to scholarships, Heartland Dental continues to show a deep commitment to Concorde students throughout their educational journey. Educator-employer partnerships like ours create meaningful pathways to employment for our students and we're grateful for Heartland Dental's ongoing investment in our students and dental programs."

In addition to the annual scholarships, Heartland Dental has collaborated with Concorde for several years to address its need for dental hygienists through company-sponsored dental hygiene labs on campus, graduate pinning ceremonies, pediatric dental events and the recent opening of the Concorde-Fort Myers campus.

Nationwide, employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the overall average for all occupations.¹ In most states where Concorde has campuses, the demand is significantly higher. For example, statewide projected job growth for dental hygienists in Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas ranges from 12% to 22% between 2024 and 2034.²

The 2026 scholarship recipients include:

• Kaitlyn Faggiano, Concorde–Denver
• Calista Jamnik, Concorde–Denver
• Bianca Purkett, Concorde–Jacksonville
• Tyra Carter, Concorde–Jacksonville
• Jenae McKinney, Concorde–Miramar
• Fedlene Sainvil, Concorde–Miramar
• Elizabeth Cagle, Concorde–Orlando
• Savens Occulis, Concorde–Orlando
• Ashley Chin, Concorde–Tampa
• Bethsy Dorce, Concorde–Tampa
• Florliz Mungai, Concorde–Kansas City
• Narda Forward, Concorde–Kansas City
• Annaka Spears, Concorde–Portland
• Autumn Westergren, Concorde–Portland
• Markeia Milam, Concorde–Memphis
• Jesita Campos, Concorde–Memphis
• Claira Rhodes, Concorde–Memphis
• Isha Jah, Concorde–Dallas
• Kasaundra Boxell, Concorde–Dallas
• Lirija Ademi, Concorde–Grand Prairie
• Tanzim Chalwell, Concorde–Grand Prairie
• Kinjal Patel, Concorde–San Antonio
• Krystal Chavez, Concorde–San Antonio

To learn more about Concorde's dental hygiene program, visit concorde.edu/dental-programs/dental-hygiene.

¹Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook for Dental Hygienists nationally, 2025-2035, viewed September 8, 2026.

²Source: U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Long-Term Projections, 2024-2034, for dental hygienists in Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas viewed September 8, 2026.

About Concorde Career Colleges|
Concorde Career Colleges, the healthcare brand of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), is committed to preparing tomorrow's healthcare professionals for rewarding, in-demand careers in nursing, dental, respiratory, diagnostic, and allied health. Through strategic partnerships, Concorde provides meaningful workforce solutions for some of the nation's leading dental and healthcare systems. Concorde operates 18 campuses across eight states and online under the brands Concorde Career College and Concorde Career Institute, which are accredited either by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges or the Council on Occupational Education. For more information, visit LinkedIn at @Concorde Career Colleges, or on X at @ConcordeCareer.

About Heartland Dental
Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization, providing non-clinical administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 3,000 doctors in over 1,900 locations across 38 states and the District of Columbia. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit heartland.com.

Media Contact:
Sharon Rolenc
srolenc@uti.edu 
612-720-2083

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SOURCE Concorde Career Colleges

FAQ

What broader activities are included in the Heartland Dental–Concorde partnership beyond scholarships?

Beyond the annual scholarships, Heartland Dental has worked with Concorde on company-sponsored on-campus dental hygiene labs, graduate pinning ceremonies, pediatric dental events and initiatives connected to the recent opening of the Concorde–Fort Myers campus.

What job growth is projected for dental hygienists nationally and in key Concorde states?

National employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035. In Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas, statewide projected job growth for dental hygienists ranges from 12% to 22% between 2024 and 2034.